I have permission to hunt about 10 acres of land in south-east Indiana. The property is wide but not long. In previous years the landowner saw a lot of deer but last year we only saw a few deer. We were thinking about putting a small kill plot in to attract the deer to the property. Would this be a good idea?? The only other crop around is corn about 300 yards north-west. We get a lot of night time photos but no daytime. Any suggestions?
Nocturnal movement is related to pressure. are you allowed to hinge cut trees a couple strategic spots to create doe bedding? The woods looks very mature.
How far are you from the land? Sometimes on small acreage a every day or three feeding program can help minimize reaction from the deer and prevent or retard nocturnal reaction to human entry. You just have to follow the laws and be consistent.
Establish where you want your stands and how you want to enter and exit to minimize impact. Cut down some larger trees in your selected spots to allow light to get to the forest floor. Look up and determine which ones get you the biggest bang for your buck to cut down. Hinge cut smaller diameter trees in the same areas for bedding. Browse with develop in this area as a natural food source as new growth fills in. You can also broadcast some alf alfa and other seed in the bedding area to add variety. Deer eat 5 times a day and if you can get them food close or within their bedding area that will keep them close. Add a couple small plots off the bedding area of clover and chicory. I think if you can keep a doe group in this area, the bucks will come eventually but it would be good to understand where the bucks are bedding as they will be away from the Does. It looks to me that hinge cutting the edge (edge feathering) of the woods would be a good idea as well to provide screen as you approach and walk into the woods. You could also plant a tall grass as a screen. Egyptian wheat is an annual that will grow tall the first year to aid in screening. planting switchgrass at the same time will add an annual plant that will come back each year and will be a bit taller the following years. Some hinge cutting the boarder of the property my also be needed for screening. This will help minimize pressure from the neighbors hunting if thats an issue I think your biggest issue will be to not blow deer out by over hunting the 10acres. Be disciplined on picking your days to hunt. Understand best opportunities as it relates to cold fronts and moon phases. Over-hunting in that small area and leaving your scent behind will be move deer away. Bill Vale is an excellent resource to read on moon phases
